At the NRAI 75th anniversary event in Delhi, a conversation sparked major discussion. Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker was asked about Rajasthan Royals' teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. This cross-sport reference between two young Indian athletes shifted the focus away from Bhaker's own achievements. As a result, a debate erupted on social media about asking the wrong questions.
When Bhaker was questioned about Sooryavanshi, she responded thoughtfully, highlighting the support he receives at his age.
She said, "I would say that if the mentorship is good, the company around him is good, and the people around are good, then age is just a number and there is no age for talent."
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She said, "Great things happen at 60 and at six. If the people around him mentor and guide him, I am sure he will be the next big star." Bhaker emphasized the importance of proper support systems for young athletes.
The question raised debate online, with many arguing it overshadowed Bhaker's achievements.
Joy Bhattacharjaya, social media personality and ex-KKR team director, wrote, "Folks, she is an Olympic medalist. To ask her about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair to her achievements and her sport. Cricket already dominates our passion. The sports editor does not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi. Optionally, ask Vaibhav about Manu Bhaker and see the looks you get."
Folks, she is an Olympic medallist. To ask her what she thinks of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is unfair on her achievements and her sports. Cricket anyway is the ruling passion of the country, your sports editors do not need another celebrity quote to spin a headline on Sooryavanshi.… https://t.co/Ha4RsO1rf8
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 27, 2026
Other users echoed, noting that non-cricket athletes are often asked about cricketers for headline-driven coverage.
Wait, What!?????????
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) April 27, 2026
Olympics Medalist shooter Manu Bhaker was asked about Cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi
What kind of the journalism is this? Was ever any cricketer asked about budding shooters??pic.twitter.com/WQVjJbGhrs
Wait, What!?????????
— TarkKshatriya (@OpJakharBeyoung) April 27, 2026
Olympics Medalist shooter Manu Bhaker was asked about Cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi
What kind of the journalism is this? Was ever any cricketer asked about budding shooters?? pic.twitter.com/r49L84UlI6
Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker was asked about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) April 27, 2026
It felt a bit irrelevant to ask, especially since such questions are rarely posed the other way around. pic.twitter.com/1svnY0FsPZ
Funny how relevance is measured ,ask Manu Bhaker about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi , but not the other way around pic.twitter.com/jzy8pLuHEi
— Sonakshi Vashistha (@Sonakshi_V) April 27, 2026
Excuse me. She’s an Olympic double medalist. You should be asking Vaibhav Sooryavanshi about Manu Bhaker and not the other way round. Everything that’s wrong with our sports culture. https://t.co/MUKc9QsJuA
— Vaitheeswaran K (@vaitheek) April 27, 2026
Why would anyone ask about Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and whether he should debut for India to Manu Bhaker?
— Koustav Sengupta (@KoustavOfficial) April 27, 2026
Why? Do we ask Indian cricketers about budding shooters? https://t.co/nD5fGD3xMy
— Lavanya (@lav_narayanan) April 27, 2026
At the same time, Sooryavanshi continues to receive recognition within the cricketing fraternity for his recent achievements.
At just 15 years old, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to score 1000 runs in the shortest format. He has registered many brilliant innings this year, including hundreds and high strike-rate performances.
His records with the India U19 teams show his talent, making him the most-watched youngster. Many experts want to see Sooryavanshi play for India's senior team soon.